Full foreign ownership is available across most activities — but the right question is not "can I own 100%" so much as "which activity do I choose", because the activity decides everything after it.
The question we get most from foreign investors: do I need a Saudi partner? The short answer, for most activities, is no. Full foreign ownership has been broadly available for years; permission is now the rule and restriction the exception.
But the short answer hides what actually matters. The activity you choose does not only determine the ownership percentage — it determines the capital required, the licence type, the documents, the timeline, and even whether you can open branches later.
This guide sets out what is genuinely permitted, what is restricted and why, and how to choose your activity correctly from the start.
The rule: full ownership across most activities
Under Vision 2030 most sectors were opened to full foreign ownership: professional services, technology, industry and manufacturing, logistics, private education and healthcare, and retail and wholesale subject to defined conditions.
What that means in practice is that a foreign company can incorporate a wholly owned entity, open a corporate bank account in its own name, recruit its own staff, and repatriate profits — with no local partner.
The exceptions: what is genuinely restricted
There is a list of activities excluded from foreign investment or capped at a percentage, and it is updated periodically. The broad categories where you will find restrictions:
- Certain activities connected to security and defence
- Real estate investment within the boundaries of Makkah and Madinah
- Some land transport and recruitment services
- Specific activities in certain professional sectors that may require partnership or particular qualifications
The SAR 30 million myth
One of the most confusing things for investors is a figure circulated as though it were a general requirement. In reality capital requirements differ substantially by licence type and activity, and the large numbers in circulation apply only to specific activities.
Many service and technology activities carry no high capital requirement at all. Trading activities (retail and wholesale) carry higher requirements and additional conditions. Industrial activities have considerations tied to project scale.
The right approach: do not plan around a number you heard. Settle your activity first, then find its actual requirement. The gap between the two estimates can be the difference between a viable project and one postponed for no reason.
The investor journey: from licence to operation
Obtaining the MISA licence is the beginning, not the end. What separates a company "incorporated on paper" from one that actually trades is everything that follows the licence:
- Investment licence from the Ministry of Investment (MISA)
- Commercial registration issued on the basis of that licence
- Notarisation of the articles of association
- National address and chamber of commerce subscription
- Establishment file with the labor office and GOSI
- Registration with the Zakat, Tax and Customs Authority
- Opening the corporate bank account
- Visas and residence permits for the investor and staff
The longest stage is not the one you expect
Investors expect the Ministry of Investment review to consume the time. In practice the longest stage is attesting the parent company documents in the country of origin: commercial registration, financial statements and board resolution, attested by the competent authority, then the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then the Saudi embassy.
That chain happens outside the Kingdom and outside anyone's control on timing, and its duration varies dramatically between countries. Which is why we always recommend starting attestations the moment the decision to enter is made — in parallel with settling the activity, not after it.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Saudi partner?
For most activities, no. Full foreign ownership is broadly available and restrictions are exceptions applying to specific activities. We review your particular activity and confirm the percentage available before you begin any procedure.
How long does forming a foreign company take?
Four to twelve weeks, driven principally by how quickly parent company documents are attested in the country of origin rather than by the procedure inside the Kingdom.
Can I obtain residency as an investor?
Yes. The investment licence enables visas and residence permits for the investor and staff within defined limits, and other routes such as Premium Residency exist for those who qualify.
Can profits be repatriated?
Yes. Repatriation of profits and capital is available to foreign investors under the regulations, and is one of the core guarantees in the investment framework.
What if I want to add an activity later?
The licence can be amended to add activities, but a new activity may carry a different permitted ownership percentage or capital requirement — so planning for future activities at formation is preferable to adding them afterwards.